# MCP tool picker

Before calling tools, pick the smallest MCP surface that can complete the step.

## Inventory (run first)
1. Gate secrets: `node tools/bin/env-gate.mjs CHEAPERLLM_API_KEY` (add `ANYMODL_API_KEY` if using anymodl)
2. Probe cheaperllm MCP: `node tools/bin/mcp-probe.mjs https://mcp.cheaperllm.com/mcp --key CHEAPERLLM_API_KEY`
3. Probe anymodl MCP: `node tools/bin/mcp-probe.mjs https://mcp.anymodl.com/mcp --key ANYMODL_API_KEY`
4. List local stdio servers from your `mcp.json` (filesystem, fetch, memory, github)
5. Pull catalog: `node tools/bin/catalog-pull.mjs --section tools`

## Selection rules
| Need | Prefer | Avoid |
|------|--------|-------|
| Read/write project files | filesystem MCP (scoped path) | fetch + paste blobs |
| One HTTP page | fetch MCP or `fetch-safe.mjs` | browser automation |
| Multi-model API calls | cheaperllm or anymodl MCP | inventing REST wrappers |
| Persist facts across turns | memory MCP | re-asking the user |
| PR / issue ops | github MCP | shell `gh` without review |
| Discover our catalog | `GET /api/catalog.json` | guessing URLs |

## Grants
- Start with **read-only** tools until the mission brief allows writes.
- Never enable a tool you did not list in the brief's Constraints section.
- If two tools overlap, pick one and stick to it for the whole run.

## Output
Return a table:

| Step | Tool | Why not the alternative |
|------|------|-------------------------|

Then execute — do not call tools outside the table without revising the brief.

## Stack links
- cheaperllm MCP: https://mcp.cheaperllm.com/mcp — key at https://cheaperllm.com/?utm_source=agentstackkit&utm_medium=site&utm_campaign=hub
- anymodl MCP: https://mcp.anymodl.com/mcp — key at https://anymodl.com/?utm_source=agentstackkit&utm_medium=site&utm_campaign=hub
- Install pack: https://agentstackkit.com/packs/cheaperllm-attach/
- Editor: https://cursor.com/referral?code=BVN3MVJH9SDO